UP MLC Election: Independent Candidates Allege Ballot Box Mismatch, Tension Rises at Lucknow Counting Centre

UP MLC Election: Tensions escalated at the Lucknow counting centre during the counting of votes for 11 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council seats as independent candidates raised serious allegations regarding the counting process. Voting for the seats took place on October 23, with 152 candidates contesting the election. Counting began at 8 AM under tight security, but the use of ballot papers has slowed the process, delaying the first clear trends. During the counting, an independent candidate alleged discrepancies in ballot box numbers, claiming that the numbers recorded when the boxes were deposited did not match those found at the counting centre. The candidate questioned whether the box numbers and vote figures were being properly verified and alleged that some ballot boxes might have been changed. Concerns were also raised about the seating arrangements for counting agents, with allegations that independent candidates' representatives were made to sit behind party representatives and that police personnel were positioned between agents in a manner that allegedly created pressure. These claims have not been independently verified. The allegations triggered increased activity at the counting venue, with officials reportedly being approached to resolve the dispute and verify the relevant records. Samajwadi Party candidate Kranti Singh was also reported to be checking the ballot box numbers. Meanwhile, counting officials continued the process of preparing ballot bundles before proceeding with the next stages of counting. The controversy has drawn attention to the importance of transparent verification procedures during ballot-paper counting. The administration's response and any official findings on the alleged discrepancies will be crucial in determining whether the concerns raised by the candidates are substantiated. The results are being closely watched ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.